Control method and system for internal combustion engine

Abstract

The invention relates to a control system for an internal combustion engine incorporating an engine shut-off valve for permitting or preventing air flow to an engine, and in particular a diesel or gas-fueled engine. The control system comprises a valve controller unit including a receiver capable of receiving incoming signals from a plurality of sources, and processing a received incoming signal to generate an output signal to output a shutdown command for actuating the shut-off valve for preventing air flow to the engine, and recording, in a memory, event data including a source identifier of the received incoming signal resulting in output of the shutdown command signal.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A control system for an internal combustion engine having an air-intake shut-off valve for permitting or preventing air flow to the engine, the system comprising a valve controller unit (VCU) comprising:
 (a) a receiver capable of receiving incoming signals from a plurality of sources;   (b) a memory for storing data; and   (c) a logic device capable of processing a received incoming signal to:
 (i) output a shutdown command signal for actuating the shut-off valve for preventing air flow to the engine; and 
 (ii) recording, in the memory, event data comprising a source identifier of the received incoming signal resulting in output of the shutdown command signal. 
   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the system further comprises a clock, and the event data comprises a time stamp. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the internal combustion engine is a compression ignition or a spark ignition engine. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the internal combustion engine is a compression ignition engine. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the received incoming signal comprises a sensor signal received from one or more of an engine sensor, a vehicle sensor, an environmental sensor, or an operator sensor. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein the received incoming signal comprises at least one sensor signal indicative of an operating condition of the engine or an ancillary component of the engine. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the at least one sensor signal comprises a signal indicative of one or more of the following: revolutions per minute, running time, oil pressure, coolant temperature, engine vibration, battery voltage or charging conditions. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein the sensor signal comprises a vehicle accelerometer signal. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein the operator sensor detects biometric properties of an operator. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the operator sensor detects the intoxication level of an operator. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the ancillary component is an actuator selected from a warning horn, a light, an interlock mechanism, or a pump controller. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the ancillary component is a vehicle or engine control module capable of transmitting signals representative of operating conditions of the vehicle or engine to the VCU through a data bus. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the received incoming signal comprises a manually transmitted signal. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the manually transmitted signal is transmitted from a control panel connected to the VCU, the control panel having display means providing visual or audible indicators for indicating whether the shut-off valve is open or closed. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the control panel is adapted to receive a voice command. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the received incoming signal comprises a wireless signal transmitted by one or more zone transmitters.